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2

Since there's different tricks and none is the one right answer, shouldn't this be a community wiki?
–
freiheit♦Sep 1 '10 at 18:08

@freiheit, @M. Converse: Yes, I agree, this should be community wiki.
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Neil FeinSep 1 '10 at 22:01

Is this relevant to this forum? I see this more as a general topic of how to remember things.
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milesmeowSep 3 '10 at 14:21

@milesmeow: I think this is relevant, since the question is asking how to remember something ride-supporting (i.e., hydration mechanisms common to most bikes).
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Neil FeinSep 4 '10 at 3:21

Seems relevant as I can see this possibly being something that would be bad news for a cyclist in general. I question the commuter tag as most commutes are short enough that one doesn't usually need to carry water. Unless I'm going 15+ miles or it's an extremely hot day, I don't bother to throw any water on the bike. Especially not in a commuter type environment where I'm more likely to need to be continually dodging cars (and not have the time/opportunity to take a drink).
–
Brian KnoblauchJan 13 '11 at 14:38

I hang my helmet on the bottle cage. I almost always notice it's empty when I grab the helmet.

In the past I've stuck a sock monkey in the cage at the end of the ride. I thought I would always notice the sock monkey. But when you start out early in the morning sometimes you don't see things like that. I finally figured it out from the funny looks I was getting. So while thirsty, I still brought a smile to everyone on the route that morning.

I use a camelbak - if I am planning on riding the next day, I will fill it up the night before and stick it in the fridge. The camelbak is great, not just because you can take more water but you can also carry tools, extra tubes/patch kit, a pump...

You might get into the habit of inspecting your bike before you take off. I check the tires and the brakes every time I pull the bike off its rack. Check your cages along with it.

Mentally I classify water along with protective gear, probably giving it more weight than a helmet. It isn't something that's merely nice to have because you're a little thirsty. It's something that stops me from having a stroke in the heat (and cramps when I'm done).

Vaguely related. I keep $2 on my bike so I can buy a bottle of water if I have to.

You could also place something in your cage that won't let you operate the bike after you get off it when you're done. It's easy to remember your water bottle at the end, because you're thirsty. Pick up the water bottle and place your pump or something in the cage so you have to pull it out and remember the water before you leave next time.

I leave the bottles on the bike; refill the night before and put back on the bike when full. (or fill when I get the bike to work or ...)

If I forget to refill, I have the other water bottle (and probably half of the first). I also use decent quality water bottles that don't make the water taste too bad if it's sat in the bottle for a few days.

If for some reason I'm leaving the water bottles inside the house, I'll put them where they block access to something I can't leave the house without, such as putting one in each shoe. (no, really)

For me, I use a check list. It hasn't happened yet, but I fear the day I arrive at work having left some part of my work wardrobe at home. Anyway, the list has everything I need, and I just run down it before heading out the door. Nerdy, maybe, I like to think it's cool like jet pilots.

I carry my water bottle(s) with me if I'm going to be somewhere without convenient (or cheap) access to decent beverages for an extended period of time. This includes classes, driving for more than a few minutes in the car, movie theaters and fast food restaurants that charge $4 for a PET water bottle, etc.

I have been doing this regularly for about two years now, so anytime I leave home without a water bottle, I can't help but notice I'm forgetting something.

I also commute 20 miles in a day. I have ran into your problem more than once. However I have a small trick to stay on safe side.

I have a back bag, which has separate pockets for water bottle on two sides.
I have two bottles, One I always keep on the bag, and never take it off unless I am refilling my actual water bottle. Another I keep at the bike.

Whenever I get off the bike, i put that bottle on my bag, and when i am riding again, i put in back on the bike. This way, even if forget about the bottle, it will remain in my backpack, which I hardly forget.

In case I forget to refill, I will have a extra bottle, from which I can refill the bike. Or in the worst case, if i left/lost my bike's bottle somewhere I already have a bottle at my bag, which can handle the rest.